IMPACT OF FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

The Impact of Facial Expressions on Memory and Perception

The Impact of Facial Expressions on Memory and Perception

Introduction

Facial expressions describe a person's mood. They tell how if a person is in a bad mood or is happy. They play a very important role in gauging a person and describe the person's attitudes. Facial expressions define how a person is feeling. If a person is sick, his facial expressions will make it clear that he is not feeling well. Same goes for when a person is happy or is sad. Facial expressions reveal all. This paper will discuss the affects of facial expressions on memory as well as perception (Freitas-Magalhäes, 2006).

Discussion

It is said that if a person pretends that he is happy, he will feel happy, and if he pretends that he is sad, he will feel sad. This is human nature and has an impact on the facial expressions. Facial expressions are important and impact the memory as well as the perception. Extensive research has been carried out on the impact of facial expressions on memory and perception. Results have shown that facial expressions are the result of a person's behavior and not the consequences of the behavior (Larsen, 2002).

There are people who when adopt a facial expression, feel the corresponding emotion. This is how they relate to their prevailing emotion and it helps them in expressing them. Facial expressions play a key role in socializing with other people. Wearing a smile on your face most of the times, will help you in networking; therefore, will increase your contacts. Facial expressions have a long lasting impact on memory and perception. People remember facial expressions even after many days have passed (Knapp & Hall, 2007).

There are people who remember their facial expressions and relate to it as how their day ...